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"Alla Prima" is a practical and comprehensive guide to direct painting (characterised by bold, expressive brushwork and a painterly, atmospheric surface), particularly as it is expressed though the work of the author's mentor, Arthur DeCosta, the legendary master teacher. The book covers the history of the direct methods in both Europe and America. From there, it covers detailed step-by-step lessons and invaluable discussions on drawing structure, broken and smooth brushwork and colour development. Further lessons on colour mixing, palettes and materials, brush technique, drawing and paint layering, portraiture, still life, figure and landscape painting are provided, all through illustrated steps, analysis and historical information.Throughout, the book features the work of the European masters of the direct approach, from the old masters (Rubens, Rembrandt, Velazquez) and the late 19th and early 20th century masters (Degas, Renoir, Manet, Monet, Matisse, Cezanne) to the American Prime masters (Sargent, Whistler, Henri, Eakins, Bellows) who spawned such vibrant late 20th century painters as Alice Noel, Wayne Thichaud and Jim Dinc.

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About the Author

Al Gury chairs the painting department at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts in Philadelphia, where he also teaches drawing. Gury exhibits his work at the F.A.N. Gallery and has shown at the National Academy of Design in New York, the Philadelphia Museum of Art, and numerous other galleries and museums around the country. He is the author of Alla Prima: A Contemporary Guide to Traditional Direct Painting and Color for Painters: A Guide to Traditions and Practice. He lives in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Top customer reviews

Finished reading this book and it has some brilliant information on alla prima techniques, I recommended this for self trained painters like myself, as anyone who has gone to art school should know this. It's true the artist who has written the books work isnt very inspiring, but the book has examples from old masters and some modern artists also which in my opinion makes up for it.

A bit disappointed. Bit of a wordy, academic text. The authors own work is to my mind mediocre and not inspiring. After a few attempts at trying to find value the book has been consigned to the not that great shelf.

This is an excellent instruction book on alla prima painting. The techniques are explained very clearly and it is also the only book I have ever come across to deal solely with alla prima in all its forms.